New boat owner-launching and docking questions

[JTP13]

Hello everyone! I just purchased my first boat this past weekend - 2012 Yamaha AR190 and I love it! I got a great deal and it was very well maintained. Being a first time boat owner I found it very difficult to navigate in no wake zones. It was rather embarrassing but I managed not to kill anyone or myself or hit anything. What is the best way to practice this stuff? When I went to get my boat back on the trailer I came in sideways. Thankfully there was an extremely nice guy around who helped me pull the boat on the trailer. I'd like to avoid this in the future but it's hard to find empty launching sites around here

I'm near Pensacola FL - and the gulf is amazing. It's 10000x better with a boat!
Thanks everyone for the advice, all of your posts, comments, and pictures. This site is awesome!

 

[JTP13]

Another question: The AR190 doesn't have a depth finder or a CB/Radio. What other equipment would you recommend to a first time owner?

 

[swatski]

@JTP13 Get Cobra fins and a VHF radio.

And - welcome to the club!

 

[Zeus2013]

Congrats with the new boat. Best way to practice is to get out on the water and practice. I had some embarrassing events also, but you will get past them eventually.

Some people like the fins added for better slow speed control, others like me go without.

Enjoy...

 

[malibu Dan]

With the currents on the Columbia here and wind we are gonna invest in trailer guide ons congrats on the new boat..

 

[Scottintexas]

congratulations on your new boat, practice, practice, practice, preferably with only one other person on board to keep the distractions and expectations down,

were you using the no wake mode in the no wake zones ?

I've been sideways on the trailer also, no fun!, maybe get some ve ve guides to help if your in a windy or area that has a lot of current.

 

[Scottintexas]

also finding the correct depth to back your trailer in, most say it's just so the front / top of the fender is out of the water, this provides enough bunk board to keep you righted,

 

[swatski]

@JTP13 As far as a depth finder, I've installed mine in my old 190 almost exactly as Leojay on the "darkside" forum, in front of the OEM speedo/paddle gizmo:
http://yamahajetboaters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=62633
Worked 100%, all the time, any speed.

 

[Ronnie]

What others said plus practice slow speed maneuvering around a no wake buoy or something you can anchor in the water. Also don't be afraid or embarrassed to recover your boat onto the trailer by hand/walking it on via docking lines.

 

[SCSX190]

Get some boat trailer guide on posts and don't put the trailer in too far, leave about a foot out of the water, the boat should slide and stop itself within a foot of the roller, winch her up the rest of the way or power load the rest of the way up. Also, the 16s have a keel that helps keep her straight at slow speeds. I come in at about 5mph and reverse, counter steer to straighten her out at the last second if needed. Loading and unloading is now a one person job.

 

[96Pirate]

Practice, practice, practice. I went 2 years without fins but I couldn't get anyone else used to driving it so I added them this year. Although I did not have issues without they do help. I boat in a lake so different from you but we do have wind blowing the water sideways which makes it difficult. Try to get out on a calm day if you can. Or take it to a lake to practice some. When at no wake speed you need to pay attention more until you get used to it. Try to make slight adjustments to the wheel. As soon as I see the bow moving to the port I counter a little and vice versa. It's tough when you get all out of whack and need to correct. Small adjustments and learning how the boat moves is key.

As far a recovering....go slow. Don't be afraid to bail and start over. Learn how much the current moves you and adjust how you come in. Also if you can back the trailer in at a slight angle away from the dock. This gives you more room without the risk of hitting the dock.

Congrats on the boat and good luck. In no time you will be a pro

 

[WildBillF1]

Congratulations on the new boat. On the lake it isn't a problem, but where I boat on the river with the current, launching/retrieving isn't a one man job. If there's any wind, I usually put the bimini top down before docking or loading on trailer, as the bimini top can act as a sail.

 

[firecap797]

After our first outing I added Cobra Fins and Fangs. They seem to help quite a bit with control at slow speed.

Practice, practice, practice. Find a ramp on a day that no one is around (if you can) and launch and recover several times. Go slow and don't oversteer.

 

[bronze_10]

Neutral is your friend! Most of the time as I get close to the trailer I am in neutral and just bump into gear and then back to neutral to keep my momentum where I want it.

 

[SCSX190]

Lake Wylie is technically a river so there is a decent current. The first few times I loaded (without the boat guides) it was a 2 person job as I was coming in sideways. I am also in a wet slip so pulling into the space took me a few tries before I got the hang of the jet boat/river current dynamics. The key is NOT going into neutral on a river as the current immediately takes the boat sideways. If you come in at speed and reverse/counter steer at the last second to get the nose pointed in the right direction and throttle forward you will be fine. Get some boat guide on posts and practice the reverse counter steer maneuver. I go out by myself 3-4 times a week.

 

[haknslash]

I boat in a river with current. I use no wake mode when I load up on the trailer. By using neutral there is no thrust to steer the boat and by the time you add thrust it will either be too late or you may overcompensate. So I feel it's best to have forward thrust with no wake mode as it gives you enough thrust to maneuver but not enough to get you into trouble. Remember that you no wake mode stays enabled even if you go from forward to reverse within first detent, so you can give quick reverse thrust corrections to slow the boast down if need be. Being a 2016 I have the rudder which helps at slow speed but you may find in an older boat that you prefer JBP or Cobra products.

 

[justason]

Another question: The AR190 doesn't have a depth finder or a CB/Radio. What other equipment would you recommend to a first time owner?

good lord what a dangerous question to ask in this crowd !!!! WELCOME ABOARD !!

I agree with the above on looking into some fins Cobra or thrust vector (TVXL) they help at slow speeds and cross winds. Then there is simply experience to gain overall. I'm also an advocate of the entire family knowing how to drive the boat AND back the trailer ! I cringe when I see 8 people standing on a dock while 1 person gets/works the vehicle.......consuming ramp space. ..so much anger !

As for spending your money:
Boat Buckles !!
EZ-locks (i think some call them tru-locks or its a competitor)

 

[haknslash]

haha I didn't see his question about what else to recommend. Such a loaded question on here. We love to spend other peoples money

• Things I'd do is get rid of the stock bow roller if the trailer still has the hard yellow plastic one. Buy a poly roller (most of us go with a Stoltz.
• Boat Buckles to make your life easier at the ramp.
• First Aid kit if you don't already have one and of course you being on the coast make sure you have all of your Coast Guard required safety equipment and at least 3 signal/distress devices. I bought a flare gun, distress signal flag, air horn and emergency whistle. Coast Guard approved Fire extinguisher(s) too. I recommend Amerex extinguishers as we make the best in the business.
• I bought several Plano clear boxes to keep valuable gear dry and well organized.
• I bought a large clear tote bin and use it in the starboard rear underseat storage to hold my 4 wet fenders and wet dock lines so it's not laying on my carpet.
• Trailer Guides if you boat in windy or places with current. I bought some that have LED's on top to help see at dusk/night.
• EZ-Locks or TruLocks to prevent a cleanout plug blowout.
• Waterproof onboard battery charger. I use a ProMariner ProSport 6 as it's compact, lightweight and has easy to read status LEDs.
• Last but not least there's also a SeaDek Group Buy going on now and you could save a lot of money if you get in on it! https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016-seadek-group-buy.11209/

We could go on and on but that should get you started and your wallet begging for mercy

 

[Glen]

When I am docking on a river with moving current, I have found the 90 degree turn onto the trailer to be easiest (for me, where possible).

I head up river, perpendicular to the trailer and just a second or two (dependent on the current) late, I make the turn onto the trailer.
The added thrust you use to go up current helps with the turn, without the speed.

Basically, expose the broad side of your boat to the current for the shortest amount of time possible.

I was surprised how easy it was, the first time-

...and practice, practice, practice.

Godspeed,
Glen

 

[Hannibal]

I too had a hard time getting used to our 190FSH the first couple of times out. I over steered and zig zagged all over the channel at no wake speed. Getting much better now. Reaction is delayed so over steering is almost inevitable until you get the feel of it.
I found I need to back the trailer in until about 6-12" of bunk are out of the water to get up to the roller. I don't like powering it up with the huge vacuum suckling up whatever is underneath.
For the FiSH, I bought a Garmin 741sx chart plotter fish finder and a Standard Horizon GX1700 VHF radio. For close to shore, a cell phone with a tow boat membership should be sufficient.
With or without a depth finder, watch those sand bars. Bays and intercoastals are full of them and boy do they hurt.